Young adults’ perceptions of the psychosocial factors impacting upon self-disclosure online
- Authors: Edwards, Megan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-disclosure , Young adults -- psychological aspects Interpersonal relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29882 , vital:30788
- Description: Online communication has become a universal phenomenon, and a significant consequence of computer mediated communication (CMC) is the influence it has on self-disclosure. The aim of the present study was to explore and describe young adults’ perceptions of online self-disclosure, specifically what young adults’ self-disclose online and what psychosocial factors impact upon self-disclosure online. Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Systems Theory and the Johari Window were utilised as the theoretical framework of the study. The present study utilised a qualitative approach and was exploratory and descriptive in design. The sample size of the present study was 13, and semi-structured interviews were utilised as the method of data collection. The data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis, as outlined by Braun and Clarke. Six main themes were identified, namely Types of Online Experience, Online Self-disclosure, Information Disclosed Online, Differences between Online and Offline Self-disclosure, Privacy and Online Regrets. The findings of the present study will generate a better understanding of young adults’ online self-disclosure and can be utilised for future research.
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- Date Issued: 2018
Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine in South African fresh water cyanobacteria : incidence, prevalence, ecotoxicological considerations and human exposure risk
- Authors: Esterhuizen-Londt, Maranda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Cyanobacteria , Bioaccumulation , Chromatographic analysis , Neurotoxic agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10306 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1473 , Cyanobacteria , Bioaccumulation , Chromatographic analysis , Neurotoxic agents
- Description: β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid associated with human neurodegenerative disease. Due to the cosmopolitan nature of cyanobacteria, detection of BMAA in cyanobacteria has caused concerns about human exposure risk. This study was therefore based on the hypothesis that BMAA poses a health risk to humans either by direct ingestion or by indirect exposure to BMAA from a cyanobacterial source via a freshwater food chain. A validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) BMAA analysis method and a confirmatory liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method, with improved sensitivity, were developed in addition to a LC-MS/MS method for analyte confirmation. These methods were used to quantify BMAA in South African cyanobacteria, isolated from various potable water reservoirs. The majority of the isolates tested, contained BMAA. Possible human exposure by direct consumption of BMAA released from cyanobacterial blooms was investigated by the development of a robust solid phase extraction (SPE) method used for BMAA concentration and quantification in raw and treated tap water. Despite the use of the SPE method that facilitated the concentration of BMAA from large quantities of water, no free dissolved BMAA was detected in raw or processed fresh water. The fate of exogenous BMAA was therefore investigated firstly by evaluating the efficacy of standard water treatment processes employed in South Africa and secondly by investigating the possibility of BMAA bioaccumulation and biomagnification in aquatic food chains. Standard water treatment processes proved highly efficient at removing free dissolved BMAA, explaining the absence of BMAA in treated tap water. However, the cause of the BMAA absence in raw potable water remained unknown. Uptake of BMAA by model aquatic organisms was investigated in controlled experiments. BMAA uptake was documented in both Ceratophyllum demersum and Daphnia magna, however, BMAA-protein association and biomagnification were not observed in D. magna. BMAA had an inhibitory effect on the oxidative stress enzyme acitivties of both organisms tested (as well as human S9 extracts), resulting in accumulation of detrimental reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. Exposure of crop plants to BMAA in controlled experiments resulted in BMAA uptake, protein association, and subsequent inhibition of the antioxidative enzyme activities. However, BMAA was detected in neither free nor protein-associated form in natural crop plants irrigated with known BMAA-containing bloom water. Post-mortem liver samples of Clarias gariepinus (Catfish) and Crocodylus niloticus (Crocodile), from a natural fresh water ecosystem that experienced frequent cyanobacterial blooms, contained both free and protein-associated BMAA. Higher BMAA concentrations were found in crocodile liver samples compared to fish liver samples, strongly suggesting biomagnification from one trophic level to the next. BMAA concentrations corresponded to crocodile age. This is the first report of bioaccumulation and biomagnification in two trophic levels in a fresh water ecosystem. These findings strongly suggest possible human exposure via aquatic food chains of cyanobacterial origin. Direct BMAA exposure via drinking water is not plausible due to the efficiency of standard water treatment processes to remove BMAA. The use of raw water for agricultural and recreational use, however, remains a problem. The development of management strategies as well as daily tolerable levels for BMAA is urgently required.
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- Date Issued: 2010
How effective are school governing bodies regarding maintaining discipline in schools situated in poor socio-economic areas?
- Authors: Hawkins, Alan Hilton
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: School boards -- South Africa , School discipline -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/972 , School boards -- South Africa , School discipline -- South Africa
- Description: Poor discipline in public schools has become a major concern following the abolishment of corporal punishment by the National Department of Education. The educators in schools were left with no constructive alternatives to maintain discipline by the educational authorities and had to find and implement alternative disciplinary measures. Ill-disciplined learners capitalised on the situation, resulting in the deterioration of discipline in public schools. The aim of this research is to identify how effective SGBs are regarding the maintenance of discipline in schools situated in poor socio-economic areas. For this purpose, a qualitative study was conducted in four secondary schools in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Different data-collection techniques, in the form of questionnaires, focus group interviews, observations and documentary analysis, were used to obtain the necessary data. Learners, educators and parent members of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) were used as participants for the study. The findings of the study indicated that parent SGB members lacks relevant and ongoing training and development for the task of executing their roles as disciplinarian bodies at their respective schools. The fact that these are lacking have contributed to the general deterioration of school discipline in the selected schools. The study concludes with suggestions on strategies that SGBs can implement to improve their capacity in improving and maintaining discipline. Such improved capacity will create an environment that is conducive for teaching and learning, especially in schools situated in impoverished areas.
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- Date Issued: 2009